Frankfurter wrapping table



Sept. 16, 1958 F. W. DEPPNER FRANKFURTER WRAPPING TABLE 2 SheetsSheet 1 NM NM Filed Feb.. 21, 1957 Fred W. Deppner INVENTOR Sept. 16, 1958 F. w. DEPPNER 2,851,840

FRANKFURTER WRAPPING TABLE 7 Filed Feb. 21, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.3

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United States Patent FRANKFURTER WRAPPING TABLE Fred W. Deppner, Hutchinson, Kans., assignor to Samuels & Company, Inc., Dallas, Tex., a corporation of Texas Application February 21, 1957, Serial No. 641,640

' 4 Claims. (Cl. 53-391 This invention relates to a machine which facilitates the wrapping of frankfurters into meat packages.

An object of the invention is to provide a frankfurter wrapping table which facilitates the wrapping of franle furters in neat orderly packages by presenting to the workers means by which the handling, including wrapping and sealing of packages, is extremely simplified. More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a table which is fitted with two endless conveyors that have spaced forms or jigs thereon which move at a predetermined, controllable speed so that an assembly line formed by a plurality of workers is easily formed, with the first step being the application of wrapper, with or without backing, after which the particular form in question moves to the next station where the next worker applies the proper number of frankfurters so that upon moving to the next station, the following worker is able to wrap the frankfurters and heat-seal the Wrapping. Finally, trademarks, names on labels, may be subsequently applied if they are not already applied in the initial step in the process when the wrapping is placed in the form.

Another object of the invention is to provide a practical frankfurter wrapping table which has sloped upper racks on which to support frankfurters in trays so as to be readily accessible to the workers. By having the racks inclined, the trays move always to the lower end of the rack, thereby further facilitating the use of the same.

These, together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational side view of a frankfurter wrapping table constructed to demonstrate the principles of the invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the frankfurter wrapping table of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view with parts broken away in section showing principally the drive for the endless conveyors;

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view showing the racks which constitute a part of the invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the forms that is attached to the two endless conveyors in the racks, these forms or jigs accommodating the wrapper and frankfurters during the normal operation of the frankfurter wrapping table; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing an adjustable guide which is operatively associated with the endless conveyors of the frankfurter wrapping table.

In the accompanying drawings, there-is a frankfurter wrapping table 10 which is constructed in a way to demonstrate the principles of the invention. This table consists of a fiat table top 12 supported by an angle iron rectangular frame having sides 16 and 18 together with ends 20 and 22, respectively. A lower supporting shelf is formed ice by sides 24 and end angle irons or other types of bracing, and they are held to the upper rectangular frame by means of vertical supports 26 and three pairs of legs 28, 30, and 32, respectively. Each of the legs is fitted with a foot, there being feet 34, 36, and 38. Foot 34 typifies all of the others and is made of a sleeve having a longitudinal slot in the side wall and an adjustable fastener passed through the slot and connected to the lower extremity of leg 28. This fastener may be a machine bolt or some other equivalent device and is used for adjusting foot 34 so that the table top 12 is perfectly level.

Two endless conveyors and 42, respectively, are entrained around their end rollers, there being rollers 43 and 44 for conveyor 40 and rollers 45 and 46 for conveyor 42. Rollers 44 and 45 are mounted for rotation by axle 48 which is mounted for rotation in depend ing brackets 50 suspended from the upper frame sides 16 and 18. Rollers 43 and 46 are individually mounted on their axles 51 and 52, respectively, each being supported by a travelling block at each end, the latter being held captive by a plurality of bolts as at 54 (Figure 1) which are movable but held captive in slots 55, the latter being formed in the depending hanger plate 56 which is suspended from and fixed to the upper frame of the machine. Adjustment screw 58 bears on the travelling block and is carried by a threaded bearing on plate '56, thereby functioning as a belt tightener.

Axle 48 has a sprocket 60 keyed or otherwise secured to it and a chain 61 enmeshed therewith. This chain is entrained around a sprocket 62 which is on shaft 63, the latter protruding from gear box 64. This gear box is mounted on a table 66, the latter being fixed to the side braces 24 near one end of the table. Multiple pulley 67 is attached to the input shaft 68 of the gear box and has flexible belts 69 operatively connected to a selected diameter thereof. Another multiple pulley 70 is attached to the shaft 71 of motor 72 and has the same flexible belt 69 drivingly connected with it. The motor is electrically operative and is mounted on table 66. This establishes a drive for both of the endless conveyors and at the same time enables the selection of a proper speed through the selection of diameters of the two multiple pulleys 67 and 70.

There are four openings 73, 74, 75, and 76 in the table top 12, allowing the upper flight of conveyors 40 and 42 to be supported on the top surface of the table top inasmuch as the four openings are in vertical alignment with the four endless conveyor pulleys. Four adjustable guides 80, 81, 82, and 83, respectively, are mounted on the table top 12 and each consists of a plate having a longitudinal slot therein (Figure 6). Tongue 84 protrudes from one edge of the plate and overlies the longitudinal center part of the endless conveyor with which it is associated. Bolt 85 is in slat 86 of the guide 80 so that after the proper adjustment of guide 80 is obtained, the guide may be held rigidly in place by tightening the bolt.

Forms or jigs (Figure 5) are attached at spaced places along the entire length of each of the endless conveyors 40 and 42. One of these jigs 88 is illustrated in detail, having a general U-shape in cross-section and being formed of a bottom wall 89, together with two parallel and shorter side Walls 9-0 and 91 at the side edges of bottom wall 89. Laterally protruding ears 92 and 93 are attached to the side walls and 91 near the lower edges thereof and are adapted to accommodate fasteners holding the forms or jigs onto the endless conveyors. The jigs may be varied in size or shape. However, the jig 83 shown in Figure 5 is the correct size to handle one pound packages of frankfurters.

There are two racks 14M) and 102, respectively. The rack is made of a generally rectangular, upwardly opening frame having a center support 103. Upper rack 100 is angulated toward one end of the machine, being supported by pairs of legs 104, 106, and 108, respectively. Legs 108 are attached to the table top 12, while legs 104 and 106 are attached to the lower rack 102. Lower rack 102 is angulated toward the opposite end of the machine and is constructed of a generally rectangular angle iron frame supported by the previously mentioned legs 108 and three additional pairs of legs 110, 112 and 114, respectively. Braces 118 are at the outer extremity of rack 102, these braces showing schematically that suitable bracing may be used where found desirable or necessary. Legs 104 and 108 diverge downwardly (Figure 4) and are angulated inwardly to enable the supporting of lighter trays.

In use, the wrapping table is preferably located in a refrigerated room inasmuch as the packaging of frankfurters should be done at a low temperature. Frankfurters in trays are placed on the upper racks 100 and 102, while an assembly line of workers is formed on each side of the table. At the first station (left side of Figures l or 2), the worker will apply a wrapping of cellophane, polyethylene, or some other flexible plastic or wax paper, fitting it neatly within the upwardly opening jigs at that station. Should inspection numbers, advertising, etc. be desired, it may be applied at this time; however this is an optional factor. At the next station, the next workers, one on each side of the table, place the proper number of frankfurters in the jig with the ends of the hotdogs facing the open ends of the jigs or forms. With the endless conveyor continuing to move all during this time, the frankfurters on the wrappers and in the jigs move to the next station where the next step is to close the wrapper, this usually being done by folding and then heat-sealing. Should additional steps be desired, as the application of advertising or final wrapping operations, two additional workers in the assembly line will be used. Then, as the packaged frankfurters move to the end of the table, they are accepted and placed into cartons for transportation.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A frankfurter packaging table comprising a table top, a plurality of legs supporting said table top in an approximately horizontal position, an endless conveyor, said table top having a pair of spaced openings therein, said endless conveyor having an upper flight over the top of said table top and a lower flight below said table top, with the endless conveyor being passed through both of said openings, whereby the table top supports the upper flight of the endless conveyor, a plurality of jigs having open ends and opening upwardly, means fastening said jigs in spaced places 011 said endless conveyor and in align ment with the longitudinal axis thereof, guides for said endless conveyor, said guides being located at said openings and having parts which protrude over said endless conveyor and within the open ended jigs as they pass under said guides so that at the discharge end of said endless conveyor the packaged frankfurters are automatically guided and ejected from the jigs.

2. A frankfurter packaging table comprising a table top, a plurality of legs supporting said table top in an approximately horizontal position, an endless conveyor, said table top having a pair of spaced openings therein, said endless conveyor having an upper flight over the top of said table top and a lower flight below said table top, with the endless conveyor being passed through both of said openings, whereby the table top supports the upper flight of the endless conveyor, a plurality of jigs having open ends and opening upwardly, means fastening said jigs in spaced places on said endless conveyor guides for said endless conveyor, said guides being located at said openings and having parts which protrude over said endless conveyor and within the open ended jigs as they pass under said guides so that at the discharge end of said endless conveyor the packaged frankfurters are automatically guided and ejected from the jigs, an upper rack which is angulated and which is supported above said table top adjacent one end thereof on which to hold a supply of frankfurters, said upper flight traveling in a direction away from said rack, said jigs, guides and endless conveyor being aligned longitudinally.

3. A frankfurter packaging table comprising a table top, a plurality of legs supporting said table top in an approximately horizontal position, an endless conveyor, said table top having a pair of spaced openings therein, said endless conveyor having an upper flight over the top of said table top and a lower flight below said table top, with the endless conveyor being passed through both of said openings, whereby the table top supports the upper flight of the endless conveyor, a plurality of jigs having open ends and opening upwardly, means fastening said jigs in spaced places on said endless conveyor guides for said endless conveyor, said guides being located at said openings and having parts which protrude over said endless conveyor and within the open ended jigs as they pass under said guides so that at the discharge end of said endless conveyor the packaged frankfurters are automatically guided and ejected from the jigs, an upper rack which is angulated and which is supported above said table top adjacent one end thereof on which to hold a supply of frankfurters, said upper flight traveling in a direction away from said rack, said jigs, guides, and endless conveyor being aligned longitudinally, a second upper rack superposed above the first-mentioned upper rack and also angulated on which to support trays of frankfurters.

4. In a frankfurter wrapping table, the combination of a table top, a pair of endless conveyors, each conveyor having a plurality of upwardly opening and open ended jigs thereon in which to support the wrapping and the frankfurters, controllable speed driving means for actuating said endless conveyors, means connected with said table to support a supply of frankfurters in a position readily accessible to insert them in the wrapping that is placed Within each of said jigs, a guide operatively connected to each of said endless conveyors at the discharge end thereof by which the packaged frankfurters are adapted to be ejected from the jigs after being placed therein and packaged, said guide, jigs, and conveyors being aligned longitudinally, said conveyors traveling away from said support means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,366,169 Davis Ian. 18, 1921 2,048,156 Gardner et a1 July 21, 1936 2,321,387 Jackson June 8, 1943 

